Community Forums

NHBoone · 09-12-2021, 08:55 AM

Finally after much back and forth as to what motorhome to get we have traded in our class c for a class a. The class a has 50 amp power so I am wondering what surge guard would be suggested. I'm not worried about the cost as long as it will do everything it needs to do to protect my electrical system.

bobmar · 09-12-2021, 09:13 AM

We use Progressive Industries EMS-PT50X portable style. EMS-HW50C is the hardwired model. Expensive….kinda. But repair costs can easily exceed the cost of the EMS. Good insurance on power supplies you know little about.

caninecop · 09-12-2021, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHBoone

Finally after much back and forth as to what motorhome to get we have traded in our class c for a class a. The class a has 50 amp power so I am wondering what surge guard would be suggested. I'm not worried about the cost as long as it will do everything it needs to do to protect my electrical system.

This is the one we have, Progressive Industries HW50C Hardwired EMS Surge & Electrical Protection and also had it on our other RV. l like the remote that allows us to see what is happening without going outside to see what is going on with the electrical.

MSHappyCampers · 09-12-2021, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobmar

We use Progressive Industries EMS-PT50X portable style. EMS-HW50C is the hardwired model. Expensive….kinda. But repair costs can easily exceed the cost of the EMS. Good insurance on power supplies you know little about.

X2! Excellent advice!

MingusPirate · 09-12-2021, 03:08 PM

We have used SurgeGuard for about 20 years. It saved our electronics twice.

RickLight · 09-13-2021, 08:51 AM

X3 on Progressive but never heard a complaint about other brands.

But the important point is to get an EMS not just a Surge protector. They cover more issues and ones that I think are more common.

What you don't want is a voltage booster. They are banned by the national electrical code for good reasons. Some argue for them but I'll let you search out those discussions.

69Stang · 09-13-2021, 09:13 AM

I had the Progressive Industries 30 Amp portable on my gasser. It always worked great. The 2 minute delay was a little annoying at times.

When I got the DP I got this one https://www.amazon.com/Power-Watchdo...64&sr=8-3&th=1

I really like being able to check the power using Bluetooth on my phone. Not fond of how bright the face is at night.

This weekend I cut my power cord and spliced in male and female fittings. Now it stays in the electrical bay out of site. No more worrying it might walk off from the pedestal.

NHBoone · 09-14-2021, 05:22 AM

Thanks everyone. I went with the Southwire full protection portable surge guard,

MingusPirate · 09-14-2021, 07:34 PM

This may not be the answer you are seeking, but these are these considerations. First, you want at least a 2 minute time delay from power interruption to restart. The reason is that you want the A/C to depressure before restarting, which takes 2 minutes.

Overvoltage is obvious because too much kills your electronics. Most stop at 136 volts and wait until the voltage drops and the 2 minute time delay. Under voltage is the worst for A/C because the motor will draw more current creating lots of heat potentially starting a fire. Both high and low voltage will allow the EMS to reset without attention and the timeout for disconnect is several seconds.

The most important protection is known as open neutral, where voltages go really bad. 120 v can go to 240 v on 30 Amp service. Who knows where each leg goes on the 240 v 50 Amp service. Most campgrounds have aluminum distribution wire. If the connections are not routinely service there is a possibility that the neutral tap gets corrodes and opens the neutral.. This is the problem that our EMS protected our equipment because it cuts off the power in nanoseconds. However, the EMS has to be manually reset. So when we came back to the RV and the power was shut off by the EMS we noticed some of our neighbors without an EMS working on their blown electronics.

Now you know more than you want. Our EMS saved our electronics twice. Once in SC and once in CO. Spend the money. Compared to buying a new inverter, TV, etc it's cheap.

**NLOVNIT** · 09-14-2021, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickLight

....But the important point is to get an EMS not just a Surge protector. They cover more issues and ones that I think are more common.

What you don't want is a voltage booster. They are banned by the national electrical code for good reasons. Some argue for them but I'll let you search out those discussions.

What he said! Don't confuse the terminology or you'll end up buying something that won't protect your RV.

I had a PI in every one of our RV's. Wouldn't leave home without it.

vyndance · 09-14-2021, 07:44 PM

What brand did you trust on your class C?

coachmanjay · 09-14-2021, 08:53 PM

I would recommend the Southwire 34931 30 amp or 34951 50 amp Both are full ems and have Bluetooth capability to monitor your usage inside. I prefer the portable units as they will protect your power cord and inlet which are not protected with a hardwired unit. One of the common problems in older CG is low voltage and when the voltage goes down the amps increase which can cause the breaker to trip, with a trip outside in the rain. The Bluetooth inside display lets you watch the amps and shut something off before the breaker trips. Think coffee pot, microwave, and hair dryer, not to mention water heater and AC.

Hurricane-TX · 09-14-2021, 09:00 PM

There is no choice on this item. Progressive Industries is the only way to go. There customer service is exceptional and they have a lifetime replacement policy.

bwanna2016 · 09-15-2021, 08:22 AM

anyone have an opinion about the hughs autoformers surge protection? i like the idea that the surge/spike module can be replaced without having to buy an entire unit